Arkansas medical pot opponents launch first TV adLITTLE ROCK — Opponents of medical marijuana initiatives in Arkansas launched a TV ad Wednesday claiming competing proposals on the November ballot would lead to drug abuse, while two state law enforcement agencies said they'd need funding increases if the drug is legalized. Arkansans Against Legalized Marijuana, a coalition of groups opposed to the medical pot proposals, said it's spending about $50,000 to air the 30-second spot statewide ove...

Obituary: Cathryn DozierCathryn L. Pennington-Dozier, 88, of Russellville, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at Legacy Heights Nursing Home in Russellville. The daughter of Oscar and Autra (Phillips) Leavell, she was born Feb. 6, 1928, in Ross Community near Dover. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Russellville. She worked for the United States Army as Directorate For Resource Management and received the Sustained Superior Performance Award. This awar...

Obituary: Carrie TurnerCarrie Anita Turner, 93, of Ozark died Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016, in Ozark. She was a retired seamstress. She was born March 12, 1923, in Cecil of Franklin County, to John Thomas Mantooth and Esther O’Neal Mantooth. She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Sharon Kaye Simmons; and three brothers, Bill, Coy and Jim Mantooth. She is survived by three grandsons, Scott Simmons and wife Dana of Fishers, Ind., John Simmons and wife Nico...

Kids carve pumpkins at Boys and Girls ClubLast week, children ages sixth-grade and older at the Boys and Girls Club of Russellville were rewarded with a night full of pumpkin carving. Melissa White, office manager, said she has worked with that age group and taught them the importance of service work. In return for the service work at the club, they are rewarded with nights such as the pumpkin carving. Currently she has 12-15 kids in the group who participate. “Our goal is to help the...

Monticello mayor pleads not guilty in tampering caseMONTICELLO — Monticello's mayor has pleaded not guilty to fraudulently funneling funds from the city and soliciting unrepaid loans. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (http://bit.ly/2dYf5zF ) reports that Mayor Zack Tucker is charged with public-record tampering and abuse of office. Authorities say Tucker moved funds to cover Arkansas Forest Festival debts. Tucker is the chairman of the festival's committee. Arkansas State Police say Tucker moved t...

Clinton, Trump set for last debate as ugly race nears finishWASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump's ugly and acrimonious battle for the White House is barreling toward the end, with the candidates taking the debate stage Wednesday night for one final primetime showdown. For Trump, the debate is perhaps his last opportunity to turn around a race that appears to be slipping away from him. His predatory comments about women and a flood of sexual assault accusations have deepened his unpopular...

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JULIE PACE, The Associated Press White House CorrespondentAssociated Press

Teen captured after short escape from Arkansas facilityDERMOTT — Officials say an 18-year-old who escaped from a juvenile detention unit in southeast Arkansas early Tuesday has been taken into custody. Arkansas Department of Human Services spokeswoman Amy Webb said Jacob Goff-Stanick of North Little Rock escaped at about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday from the unit in Dermott by climbing a fence topped with barbed wire and shimmying along the administrative building. Webb says guards saw the teen on camera, ch...

Arkansas prosecutor: Officer-involved shooting justifiedFAYETTEVILLE — A prosecutor says two Arkansas police officers who killed a 26-year-old man earlier this month won't face charges related to the shooting. Washington County prosecutor Matt Durrett says Springdale Police Sgt. Josh Kirmer and Officer Roger Eubanks were justified when they killed Zachary Sutton after he fired on them during a traffic stop. Police say Sutton was riding a scooter on Oct. 5 when he was stopped for a traffic offense. ...

Candidate Q&A: Russell WarhurstEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Dover Alderman Ward 1 Position 2. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? As a life long resident of Dover, I want a chance to give back to my community in the form of service. I would love an opportunity to have input about the progress of Dover. If elected, what will be your top three priorities? My priorities would be researching and ...

Candidate Q&A: Pat McAlisterEditor's note: The Courier reached out to the candidates vying for Dover Alderman Ward 1 Position 2. The candidates were asked the same questions. Why are you seeking this position? I've been on the Dover City Council for many years. I've thought about not running this term but I want to see our city finish the work we have done for a Sewer Treatment Plant. We are close, so I'd like one more term. If elected, what will be your top three priori...

Man allegedly attacks woman in bedroomNathaniel A. Fink, 34, was arrested at approximately 11:03 p.m. on Friday after allegedly attacking a woman in her bedroom. According to a report provided by the Russellville Police Department (RPD), the victim called 911 to report a physical disturbance but could not speak because Fink was still in the room. Fink and the victim had allegedly been drinking together and soon after the assault began. The victim told police she pretended to be as...

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BY TRAVIS SIMPSON
simpson@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

10 things to know about fall webwormsFall webworms are a common sight across Arkansas from late August until late October. Don't get too concerned - this small creature is not considered a "forest pest" because it rarely kills the host tree. It is, however, unsightly and occasionally may cause damage to pecan groves. Fall webworms are most commonly found on pecan, persimmon and other fruiting trees, and occasionally other hardwood leaves. Fall webworms can be removed by simply cl...

Dover Housing receives updateExecutive Director Metta Holman spoke to the Dover Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners that she continues to be in communication with the Internal Revenue Service concerning past penalties for failure to file and pay tax withholdings under previous administration and that she had received a statement from the IRS "abating" (removing) an additional $1,325 in fines. Holman, who has been director of the Dover facility since Dec. 1, 2015, s...

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BY STEVE LEAVELL
sleavell@cswnet.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Little Rock police moving closer to body camera useLITTLE ROCK — The Little Rock Police Department is nearly ready to accept bids for body camera equipment. Assistant Police Chief Alice Fulk said the police department and the city attorney's office has been working to develop a body camera policy that balances privacy rights and departmental transparency. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (http://bit.ly/2dYzdS3 ) reported that the law enforcement agency will be ready to accept bids in the coming w...

Statistics slow on accidental shootingsThe Associated Press and the USA TODAY Network set out to determine just how many accidental shootings by minors there have been. The findings: During the first six months of this year, minors died from accidental shootings -- at their own hands, or at the hands of other children or adults -- at a pace of one every other day, far more than limited federal statistics indicate. These tragedies play out repeatedly across the country. Curious todd...

Baer joins Sherwood Urgent CareSherwood Urgent Care in Russellville recently welcomed Nurse Practitioner Erin Baer. Baer earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville and a master's degree in nursing from South University in Savannah, GA. She previously worked as a registered nurse at Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville in the emergency department. Baer's other healthcare experience includes providing care on a medical-...

Group: Unlikely to get involved in Arkansas AG raceLITTLE ROCK — A conservative group that accused Leslie Rutledge of being soft on gun rights during her successful bid for Arkansas attorney general two years ago praised the Republican on Tuesday and said it didn't expect to get involved in her just-launched 2018 re-election campaign. Carrie Severino, the chief counsel and policy director for the Judicial Crisis Network, said she didn't expect the group will need to get involved in Rutledge's ...